Quality of life in children with recurrent acute otitis media in southwestern of iran.

Otitis media (OM) is one of the most common disorders in childhood and may have a considerable impact on quality of life and functional health status of children. The aim of the study was to assess the quality of life in children with recurrent acute otitis media before and after the treatment by using a questionnaire. A multicentre survey base study. This study was conducted at Imam Khomeini and Apadana Hospitals in the southwestern region of Iran between Sep 2008 and March 2009. Regardless of primary complaint, all patients completed a demographic, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and OM-6 surveys. A total of 246 patients included in this study. The mean age of patients in this study was 2.62 years. One month follow-up questionnaires were obtained from 180 patients for a 73.17% response rate, and 12 weeks follow-up questionnaires were obtained from 150 patients for a 61.38% response rate. The children with recurrent AOM had poorer scores t. Quality of life of children with three or more episodes of AOM in the preceding year was poorer than that of children with 2-3 episodes.